Do Thailand passport holders need a visa to visit Spain (Schengen)?

Thai ordinary passport holders MUST obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Spain for tourism. There is no visa-free entry or visa-on-arrival. ETIAS does not apply to Thai nationals because it is only for visa-exempt countries. Spain is part of the Schengen Area, and Thailand is not on the EU visa-exemption list, so Thai ordinary passport holders need a Schengen short-stay visa (Category C) for tourism. The visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any rolling 180-day period across the entire Schengen zone. Applications are submitted in person at the BLS International Spain Visa Application Centre in Bangkok after booking an appointment; the consular section of the Embassy of Spain decides the application. The standard visa fee is EUR 90 (collected as a THB equivalent, around 3,330 THB), plus a BLS service fee. Mandatory requirements include travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage valid across Schengen, confirmed round-trip flights, full accommodation booking, bank statements, and proof of employment and ties to Thailand. The standard decision window is 15 calendar days, extendable up to 45 days. Apply between 6 months and 15 days before departure. Note: ETIAS (the EUR 20 EU travel authorisation launching around Q4 2026) is for visa-exempt nationalities only and does NOT replace the visa requirement for Thai citizens.